Hi, We have a Windows 2003 Server domain with 68 CAL's. We are now looking at purchasing Server 2008 to use for virtualisation of some legacy software. The server will just be a member server not DC so do I need additional CALS to access this server for each client eben though they are logged onto the domain using their 2003 CAL.. Im unsure as to wether I only need the original 68 CAL's on the 2003 domain or if I have to buy 2008 CAL's as well. Any help appreciated. Sean.

Hi Sean, For licensing questions, I suggest contacting your local Microsoft Customer Service for detailed information: http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/ Tim Quan - MSFT

Not sure where you are Sean, but buying CALs was a complete waste of money in my case - I'm in Australia running SBS 2008. There is nowhere to activate the CALs, all I have is 25 pieces of paper that are completely useless - unless MS comes to my client's location and demands to see them. So unless you need the CALs for terminal services or are especially paranoid about a visit from Bill, don't waste your money on something that does nothing.If a product has faults the onus rests on the original manufacturer to solve problems arising because of that fault.

Well I have done a little more research and found out some interesting facts. Firstly, YES I will need new 2008 CAL's for each user/device if they require access to the 2008 Server. However, after reading MS Licensing FAQ's have found an interesting option the negates the need for further CAL's as long as the sever is being used solely as a virtualised host (which mine are) and that the OS version on the Virtual servers matches the CAL's you already have. So in my case I could run Windows Server 2003 virtual servers on the 2008 Host and not need to purchase any additional CAL's. I have pasted below an extract from the page (full version here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/licensing-faq.aspx#virt ) Quote: Q. When do I need to acquire a Windows Server 2008 CAL? A. A Windows Server 2008 CAL is required when a user or device accesses or uses the Windows Server 2008 server software. However, if access is through the Internet and is anonymous (for example, when browsing a public Web site), a Windows Server CAL is not required. Also, if that user is an external user, another option is to acquire an External Connector license. See the Windows External Connector License section below for more detail. Further information is available at the External Connector License Overview. Further to this Windows Server 2008 CALs are not required if you are using Windows Server 2008 R2 solely as a virtualization host. The only exception to this is if you are running Windows Server 2008 R2 virtual machines, which would require Windows Server 2008 CALs. If you deploy Windows Server 2003 virtual machines onto Windows Server 2008 R2, you do not require Windows Server 2008 CALs for your virtual machine users. (You will still require CALs for your appropriate Windows Server edition, in this case, for Windows Server 2003) This is only true if the Windows Server 2008 R2 in the physical operating system environment is running the Hyper-V server role. I thought I would post this answer to my own question for anyone else who may be in the same situation. Sean.